Possibility of Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Thrombotic Stroke In Services Hospital Lahore

Abstract

Objective: To find Public awareness regarding stroke and the cause of delayed presentation of
stroke patients in our setup at Services Hospital Lahore
Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 113 patients in Department
of Neurology, Services Hospital, Lahore over a period of one year from January, 2012 to
December, 2012. The time of presentation was divided into 4 segments; within 6 hours of stroke
onset, within 6-12 hours of stroke onset, within 12-24 hours of stroke onset and more than 24
hours of stroke onset with diagnosis of cerebral infarction. Also knowledge of patients regarding
tPA and cause of delay was assessed.
Results: There were 68 males and 45 females with age range of 27 to 83 years. Only 9 patients
presented within 6 hours, 22 within 6-12 hours, 47 within 12-24 hours and 35 more than 24 hours.
A very little percentage of patients with cerebral infarction landed in Emergency department within
6 hours of stroke onset. Also 91.1% of patients were unaware of thrombolytic therapy. When
asked for a single factor for pre-hospital delay, 67% of patients labelled transportation issues as a
cause.
Conclusion: Because early presentation is a prerequisite for thrombolysis for acute ischemic
stroke we recommend to start educational programs that increase public awareness of the need
to seek medical help promptly after stroke and word stroke should be replaced with brain attack
and measures to improve the traffic sense should also be undertaken..